U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne, claiming the move would pressure French President Emmanuel Macron to join his proposed Board of Peace.
Asked about Macron’s reported refusal to take part, Trump dismissed the French leader’s position and suggested he would soon leave office. He said the tariff threat could prompt Macron to join the initiative but added that participation was not mandatory.
A source close to Macron said France intends to decline the invitation at this stage.
Trump first floated the idea of a Board of Peace last September when announcing plans to end the war in Gaza. Invitations sent to world leaders last week outlined a broader mandate focused on resolving conflicts worldwide.
According to a draft charter seen by Reuters, the U.S. administration has asked around 60 countries to contribute $1 bn in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years. Diplomatic reactions have been cautious, with some warning the proposal could undermine the work of the United Nations.
Trump also said on January 19 that Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to join the board.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev confirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to join the Board of Peace as a founding state.
